Cape Coast, March 26, – At 115 years old, Mr Amadu Walah, Ghana’s oldest pensioner, continues to live independently, sustained by his monthly Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) benefits.
A former professional driver with the Ghana Health Service and later the State Transport Corporation, Mr Walah dedicated decades to public service before retiring over 50 years ago.
Despite age-related challenges such as impaired sight and hearing, he remains physically active, although no longer able to engage in commercial work. His pension has become his main source of support, especially as farming—the family’s traditional vocation—has slowed in recent years.
During the ongoing SSNIT-TUC Regional Forum in Cape Coast, a high-level delegation from SSNIT and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) visited Mr Walah to celebrate his life and service. The delegation, led by SSNIT Director-General Mr Kwesi Afreh Biney, presented him with a hamper of consumables and cash, praising him as a testament to the reliability and importance of the SSNIT scheme.
“God richly bless you for your service to your country. SSNIT promises to continue caring for you as we have done all these years,” Mr Biney said.
The forum, held under the theme “Empowered Unions, Secured Future: Deepening Pension Literacy Across Ghana”, also addressed issues such as disparities in monthly payments, asset management, and investment performance.
Mr Biney highlighted the growth of the scheme, noting that assets under management rose from GHS20.4 billion to over GHS25 billion within a year, with returns exceeding eight per cent in 2025. The scheme now has over 2.1 million active members, with plans to add 300,000 more this year and reach 2.8 million by 2028.
He acknowledged low participation from the informal sector, which makes up over 80 per cent of Ghana’s workforce, and outlined efforts to increase enrolment through digital solutions, including a mobile app, a 24-hour virtual branch, and co-location points with banks.
Mr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC, urged citizens to join the scheme, citing its long-term benefits and reliability compared to other investments. He also called on the government to settle outstanding penalties owed to SSNIT for defaulting on workers’ contributions.
GHBUSS
March 26, 2026
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